Who controls the certification of scrub techs?

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Aug 7, 2004

Formal training and/or certification depends on the state and facility policy.

Lonman · Aug 8, 2004

Cervix,

Yes, it is true that basically anyone can be trained to scrub. That fact is already being done to cut cost. In the field of surgical technology, hospitals have trained housekeepers, clerks, and central processing employees to do the job of the surgical technologist. It is a shame that hospitals would lower their standards and do OJT rather than hire the properly trained surgical technologist. With tight budgets and no regulation they do this. For this reason, many states, Illinois being one of them, has passed a registration and title protection act. Our goal eventually in Illinois is that hospitals use the surgical technologists that are properly credentialed. Certified registered and licensed.

To put an answer to your question, yes, there is a certifying body for surgical technologists. But, as long as there are states that do not require the proper credentialing and uphold the high standards of a CST, then hospitals can do as they please with staffing their "scrub tech", which BTW, is not the proper term for that position.

As a staff member, I would talk with my fellow staff and try to convince my supervisor that we should not settle for less and to hire the properly trained CST. Also, as you may be aware, many hospitals also cross-train the RN for this postiton. Is that an option in your area?

You can get any other questions you may have regarding the CST at this website.

www.ast.org

Hope this helps,

~Lonman, CST

stevierae · Aug 8, 2004

Cervix,
To put an answer to your question, yes, there is a certifying body for surgical technologists. But, as long as there are states that do not require the proper credentialing and uphold the high standards of a CST, then hospitals can do as they please with staffing their "scrub tech", which BTW, is not the proper term for that position.
www.ast.org
Hope this helps,
~Lonman, CST

What's wrong with the term "scrub tech?" When I went to OR tech school in the Navy, in 1975, we were known as "operating room technicians" (formally) but we referred to ourselves, and others referred to us, as "OR techs" "scrub techs" or simply "techs" or even "scrubs," as in "Who's your scrub today?"

I never even saw the term "surgical technologist" or "Certified surgical technologist" until the late 1990s, and to me it just seemed redundant and silly--kind of like how the housekeepers about that time were all of a sudden "environmental technicians" or even "environmental engineers." And the cast techs all of a sudden were "orthopedic technicians."

I've worked with some awesome techs who were NOT CSTs, and I worked with some CSTs who were horrible scrubs. By the same token, I've worked with some AWESOME RNs who were not CNORs, and some horrible ones who were. I am a CNOR,but I really could care less about this title, and it annoys me that I have to pay to maintain it--just maintain it because I have to get CEs anyway, and some attorneys think titles make one more credible as an expert witness. Whatever--it's OK just to call me an RN or just OR nurse--or even a nurse--that's what I call myself--and my scrub, whether RN or tech, is still my scrub. I really don't care what people call themselves, or what they call me, or where they received their training--even if it was only OJT--as long as they are competent and give it their absolute best. Many, many excellent OR techs trained in the military, and could care less about paying extra to become a "CST"--they know their capabilities, and don't need to feel important because of some extra title. Most hospitals don't require military trained techs to be CSTs.

The best techs (and RNs) Ive worked with, across the board, have been in the San Francisco Bay Area--hands down. Here in Oregon, there is too much specialization, as in "I don't do neuro" or "I only do GYN." This is not just among techs, but also among nurses. I have no patience for this trend, and I have no patience for mediocrity.

Out here, when this occurs (that is, people in specialty "clusters" who have to disrupt the entire schedule and cause others to have to change room assignments with them because a case comes into their room that they can't handle,) there is a name given to it. It's called a "clusterf**k."

DawnEyes · Aug 9, 2004

I've never minded "scrub tech" for what I do. Surg tech, scrub tech, OR tech, they're all the same to me...someone who's on duty to be able to scrub OR cases.

As Lonman said, it really depends on what your state regulates. I know that Washington requires techs to be registered, but I don't know about anywhere else.

On a side note...I've seen a tech that did ojt from being a housekeeper (initially hired and trained to be the private tech for an ortho doc, but moved up into other specialties) that was awesome to watch in action. I've also seen scrubs that were fresh out of school and still weren't comfortable with what they were doing. I think it just depends on whether or not one enjoys the job, how much effort/time they put in to learning it, and putting in their dues to gain experience.

Cheers,

Dawn

carcha · Aug 13, 2004

I cannot believe this thread, people who were hired as housekeepers scrubbing for cases?. Are you all kidding me or what?. What about the patients right to being cared for by a registered nurse at all times?. OK, to get my blood pressure down because many of you know how I feel about this situation of non nursing personnel in the OR. how many of you would get on a jumbo jet if you were told the captain was never formally trained to do the job, and only had on the job training, he was initially hired as a baggage handler?. Are we not continuing to "water down" our own profession here?.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Aug 13, 2004

I cannot believe this thread, people who were hired as housekeepers scrubbing for cases?. Are you all kidding me or what?. What about the patients right to being cared for by a registered nurse at all times?. OK, to get my blood pressure down because many of you know how I feel about this situation of non nursing personnel in the OR. how many of you would get on a jumbo jet if you were told the captain was never formally trained to do the job, and only had on the job training, he was initially hired as a baggage handler?. Are we not continuing to "water down" our own profession here?.

You're making it sound like a person was mopping the floor one day, and the very next scrubbing in on a lymph node dissection.

Quite a few of the surg techs where i work got started as a PCA, orderly, or in housekeeping, just to get their foot in the door.

carcha · Aug 14, 2004

Your right Marie, what am I getting so worked up about. All those years of study, exams, assessments, worry, tears, re-dos, responsibility, payments of RN dues. I should have just grabbed a mop and bucket and next thing hey presto I'm scrubbing for an aortic aneurysm. And thats alright with you?????????????

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Aug 14, 2004

Your right Marie, what am I getting so worked up about. All those years of study, exams, assessments, worry, tears, re-dos, responsibility, payments of RN dues. I should have just grabbed a mop and bucket and next thing hey presto I'm scrubbing for an aortic aneurysm. And thats alright with you?????????????

(sigh, where to begin)

My POINT was that PEOPLE are not just mopping the floor one day and scrubbing in the next, and if they are then it needs stopped immediately.

Training comes first. I worked as an aide and a housekeeping supervisor (and receptionist) through LPN school (yeah yeah i know not the same), and then came to the OR as a nurse after graduation.

In other words, no prior OR experience, but they found out that i have what it takes to do my job, because i proved (proving) it to them. Perhaps if they thought like you, i wouldn't have this great of an opportunity to have a job that i absolutely love. And it all started by getting hired as an orderly/aide and working my way up to PCA, Phlebotomist, Extern and now an OR LPN, after completing school and passing NCLEX-PN.

PA-C in Texas · Aug 21, 2004

In Texas, the Board of Medical Examiners is responsible for credentialing surgical assistants.

cwazycwissyRN, RN · Aug 26, 2004

I cannot believe this thread, people who were hired as housekeepers scrubbing for cases?. Are you all kidding me or what?. What about the patients right to being cared for by a registered nurse at all times?. OK, to get my blood pressure down because many of you know how I feel about this situation of non nursing personnel in the OR. how many of you would get on a jumbo jet if you were told the captain was never formally trained to do the job, and only had on the job training, he was initially hired as a baggage handler?. Are we not continuing to "water down" our own profession here?.

In England is the RN the scrub and the circulator the non professional? I have notices this in some other countries. Here in America, usually the circulating nurse is a RN..so the is an RN overseeing the patient regardless of the scrub techs training. Just curious.......? :)

stnurse83 · Sep 17, 2004

I have to say I switched to surgical technology and am getting my AAS degree. I have talked to many surg techs that are certified for personal goals. The one's I have talked with have worked their way up to surgical first Assisting. After they work their way up to that, they can get certified in the field. Surgical First Assistants who have great relationships with the surgeons can go independent. (more Money) You have to start somewhere. Surgical First assistants are proving how to save money by hiring them instead of PA's or RN's. Surgical First Assistants really have a good fight and save lots of time and money on surgery when it comes to billing purposes. Their has been many studies done lately on this topic and it is definitly turning into a speciality. From what I've already seen it takes someone special.